Home » Jazz Musicians » John Lester

John Lester

Bassist and vocalist John Lester has had one foot in rock and the other solidly set in jazz since he started playing bass. At age 14, John was asked by two fellow students to join them in a garage rock band. They had cleverly figured out that if John joined the school jazz ensemble as the bassist, he could use their electric bass and amp, and thus be in the rock band as well. So, not yet knowing how to play bass, John jumped in with both feet. One would take a path leading forward through rock, progressive rock, funk, and R&B, eventually writing and singing his own material, releasing 3 independent CDs, and touring around the world with his unique solo bass/vocal show. The other would move back in time discovering the great jazz improvisers, mastering the upright bass, and becoming an in-demand jazz sideman.

These two distinct paths now converge with the release of John’s fourth CD entitled - John Lester Quartet – “Jazz?”. The album is a collection of influential rock material performed as improvisational jazz. Recorded in London with John on vocals and upright bass, the project includes Steve Lodder on piano (Carla Bley, Ernistine Anderson, Paul McCartney), Theo Travis on tenor sax and flute (Robert Fripp, David Sylvian, Steven Wilson), and Davide Giovannini on drums (Roy Hargrove, John Scofield, Steve Winwood, and Bjork). As evidenced from their breadth of experience, all players are well versed in both the jazz and rock genres.

“Jazz?” redefines songs such as Mr. Jones (Counting Crows), Money (Pink Floyd), and Typical Situation (Dave Matthews Band) , setting them into relaxed straight ahead grooves and opening up the tunes for the players. Lester stays true to the original vocal melodies with his smokey baritone and lays down steady walking bass lines reminiscent of his favorite jazz period, the late 1950’s. The band tackles Tori Amos’ “God” as a quadruple time up tempo swing. “Evenflow” by Pearl Jam, is driven by a ferocious jazz-funk groove by Giovannini on drums. The once rocking “A Letter to Elise” by The Cure, is slowed to a soft ballad, creating room for the sensitive Robert Smith lyric.

A native of California, John graduated from California Polytechnic University San Luis Obispo with degrees in music and business. After graduating, John moved north to San Francisco where his skills as a big band bassist landed him gigs with Concord Jazz artists Full, Faith, and Credit, as well as the SF Jazz Composers Orchestra featuring Matt Brubeck. He played as a sideman in various small jazz groups in the Bay Area and formed his own group, Basso Trio, with tenor sax player Bob Johnson and drummer Steve Rossi.

Read more

Tags

“A unique blend of jazz and original material from a world class singer/songwriter whose talent and experience make every gig special. One of the finest exponents of this art form on the scene today.” –Steve Rubie, 606 Jazz Club, UK

“…une bassiste fantastique!” -Le Monde, France

“Lester is a laid back, relaxed singer, a songwriter with a fresh viewpoint, and a talented bassist! -Folkwax Magazine, USA

“A gifted double bassist and fine songwriter with a rich smokey voice.” -Time Out London, UK

“…whatever he’s singing he brings conviction and swing to it.” -www.vortexjazz.co.uk

Read more

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Jazz?

Ambit Jazz
2012

buy

Videos

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.